Uganda Overview

Uganda was described as ‘the pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill and it is easy to see why!

Uganda is nestled between the arms of the Great Rift Valley and ecologically, is where East African savannah meets West African Jungle. This harmonious situation provides a unique opportunity for safaris.

Where else but in this enchanting country can you venture into open savannah and observe lions relaxing under an acacia tree in the morning, then in the afternoon enjoy the sight of hippos and crocs enjoying the cool waters whilst you cruise down the Nile? The adventure doesn’t stop there, for the very next day a journey into the lush rainforests to track chimpanzees and a guided swamp walk to see the extremely rare and endemic Shoebill stork. The highlight of the safari may be a visit to see one of man’s closest relatives, the mountain gorilla. Staring deep into the eyes of these endangered apes will be a time treasured and not easily forgotten.

The variety of different habitats and environments in Uganda is nearly unbelievable. For not only are there wild, open savannahs and rich, refreshing rainforests, but also shimmering freshwater crater lakes and the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, (or Mountains of the Moon as Ptolemy called them) – a challenge for the more adventurous among us!

The flora and fauna of Uganda is very diverse and of great density, so a safari to this magnificent and charming country will always be rewarding whether you’re a first-time traveller or a veteran of African safaris.

Geographical Features

The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered on the east by Kenya, the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda and on the south by Tanzania. The country is located on the East African plateau, and although landlocked, has access to several large bodies of freshwater. Uganda is tropical in nature and the climate differs between parts of the country.

Most of the country is over 1,000m in altitude and topography is generally flat. In the southwest of Uganda on the Congo border, the 70km-long and 30km-wide Rwenzori Mountains form the highest mountain range in Africa, only to be exceeded in altitude by Mount Kenya and Mount Kilinabjaro.

The majority of Uganda is well-watered and fertile, except the semi-desert in the extreme northeast. Almost 25% of the country’s surface is covered by water. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater body in the world and is bordered by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

The Nile flows from Lake Victoria and into Lake Kyoga. Still the Victoria Nile, it cuts a raucous passage west across Karuma Falls and through the narrow pillars of Murchison Falls towards Lake Albert. Finally the Albert Nile meanders along a slow, wide corridor into Southern Sudan. The Nile cuts a verdant and often turbulent median south to north through the country.

Have you ever wanted to catch ‘the BIG one’, well come fishing in Uganda! Fishing Safaris and expeditions are available in Uganda. Nile perch weighing in between 20—180 pounds are the largest fresh water game fish in Africa and are the main catch in both Lake Victoria and the Murchison Nile. For all of the […]

Batwa Bwindi Forest is home to a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna, including some exotic plants and rare and endangered animals. The forest was also home to an the Batwa pygmies. These indigenous people were the original dwellers of the anicient forest and were known as the ‘keepers of the forest’. The Batwa lived […]

Kampala Uganda Museum Kampala’s Uganda Museum, which offers displays on Uganda’s history, anthropology and geography, including a unique collection of traditional musical instruments. Craft Markets Shopping tour of the two largest craft markets in Kampala, situated on Buganda road and behind the National Theatre. Opportunity to enhance your haggling skills and pick up some much […]

It is in Jinja, a small colonial town in Uganda that rafting trips can be taken. Rafting the river Nile in Uganda has become a huge tourist attraction and Jinja is often quoted to be the ‘adventure capital of East Africa’, white water enthusiasts have been rafting here for over 10 years. From the apprehensive […]

The Semliki Valley, deep in the heart of Uganda’s Western rift valley, is a prime conservation area. Its lies at the base of the Albertine Rift to the west of Fort Portal, the magnificent Rwenzori foothills lies to the south, Lake Albert to the north. Boosting both a National Park and a Game Reserve, much […]

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Activities Forest Walks If staying on the island, guests have the opportunity to have a morning forest walk with some of the juvenile chimps. This walk allows for direct contact with the animals. You will be walking through the lush forest giving a playful chimp a piggy back ride or playing […]

Activities Game Drives Discover the wonders of the wilderness in an open top safari vehicle, Kidepo Valley National Park is truly a land of unspoiled beauty. Lions, cheetah, osterich elephants, giraffes, zebra as well as many antelope species inhabit these grasslands. Game Walk Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the two parks in Uganda […]

Activities Boat Trips The most popular activity in Lake Mburo is the motorboat trip on the lake. A journey on the lake will provide great opportunities to observe mighty hippo and croc populations. Water bird species are often too numerous for even the keenest birder to identify them all. These great wildlife experiences coupled with […]

A magnificent luxuriant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rife Valley, this ancient rainforest – one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age – is regarded to be one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa.

Kibale Forest National Park is the most accessible of Ugandan’s rainforests. It covers an area of 766km², of which the dominant vegetation is lush and shady rainforest but is interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp.

This enchanting and exotic environment is home to at least 60 mammal species, remarkably 13 of which are primates. […]

Activities Game Drives Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be split into two areas, the Channel Drive Circuit and the Kasenyi Plains. The Channel Drive Circuit follows the northern shore of the Kazinga Channel, the roads wind between tangled thickets interspersed with the cactuslike euphorbia trees. The most common large mammals seen here […]

Activities Chimp Trekking Budongo Forest is located on the southern side of Murchinson Falls National Park and is protected within the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserves. Budongo Forest feels like an extremely enchanting place,probably in large part to it having one of the most varied forest faunasin the whole of East Africa. The 790km² […]

Classic Africa Safaris is 100% Carbon Neutral

As part of our corporate social responsibility program Classic Africa Safaris is carbon neutral. We are the FIRST safari company in Uganda and Rwanda to become carbon neutral, and one of the first safari/travel companies in East Africa to officially 'GO GREEN'.